Tow truck driver will proceed with suit in Hancock death

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A lawyer representing the tow truck driver involved in the fatal crash of Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock said Thursday he will file a counter suit against the estate of the late Cardinals pitcher.

Robert Pedroli had given the Hancocks 21 days to dismiss the lawsuit that claims his client, tow truck driver Jacob Hargrove, and others were liable for Hancock's death.

"The Hancock family has continued to persist with this case, which we believe is a very weak and baseless case," Pedroli said at a news conference, according to STLtoday.com, the Web site for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Quite frankly, we're taken aback that this option was not taken."

Pedroli said he will file the countersuit for punitive damages against Hancock's estate early next week.

Hargrove had pulled his flatbed truck behind a stalled car on westbound Highway 40 on April 29 when Hancock slammed into the back of the truck.

Hancock, police said, was speeding, talking on a cell phone and had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit at the time of the crash. Hargrove had activated his lights upon pulling his truck behind the stranded motorist.

Hargrove, who Pedroli said suffered a concussion and post-traumatic stress syndrome in the crash, continues to work as a tow truck driver.

Keith Kantack, a lawyer for Dean Hancock, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

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Information from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, www.stltoday.com